Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-01-21
THE RUM CURSE.
The Address Of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union to Organ
lied Labor.
From the Toledo Blade I,

From the Toledo Bladel
we are in receipt of letter from Miss
Frances E. Willard, President of the Ma
tonal Woman's Christian Temperance
Union. which asks the publication of an
Enclosed address, with editorial COM
ments." The address is especially directed
to sall Knights of Labor, trades unions.
ana other labor organizations, and is sent
ont IN the hope that its propositions may
be discussed by all local labor societies.
2 we are especially interested in this appeal,
Tor u takes the same ground against the
use OF rum by workingmen us the Blade.
Last winter we published a series of arti-
Giles in which the evils of rum to the wage
worker were set forth, and at various
times since we have referred to the sub
Ject. The address, after an Introductory
paragraph, goes on 10 say:
as temperance women, we have been es-
pecially glad to note your hostile attitude
toward the saloon, the worst foe of woman,
and of the nottingham, and of the home.
We read with Joy of the VOW made by the
newly elected officers of the knights of
Labor ut the convention in Richmond, Va,
When, with hands raised to heaven, they
pledged themselves to total abstinence.
to offer our sincere congratulations upon
your achievements as practical helpers in
thst great temperance reform which en-
cages Our steadfust work and PRAYERS. and
which, as we believe, involves, beyond all
other movements OF this age. your. happi-
ness and elevation. Permit us to ask YOUR
careful consideration of this statement of
our belief"
Then are given, in the two following
paragraphs, two of the strongest possible
economic arguments against the use of
rum by workmen:
The central question Of labor reform is
not SO much how to get higher wages as
how to turn present wages to better account.
For waste harms most those who can least
afford it. 1t is not overproduction SO much
as under-consumption that grinds the
taces OF tie worSingmen. Fourteen hun
ered millions annually, drawn chiefly from
the pockets OF working1nen, by saloon
Keepers and cigar dealers, means less flour
IN the barrel, less coal in the cellar, and
less clothing for the laborers' families. We
srieve to see them give their money for that
which is not bread, and their labor for that
which satisfetl not. We suggest that if,
W your request, payday wee universally
changed from Saturday to Monday, this
would do much to increase the capital at
home.
The life insurance statistics prove that
while the average life of the moderate
drinker is but thirty-five years aud a half,
that Of the total abstainer is sixty-four
years. The successful explorers and SOL
diers, the famous athletes, pedestrians,
rowers, and shots are men who do not cob
web their brains or palsy their nerves with
alcoholic drink"
Then follows an appeal for the educa-
ton OF the children i'll cur common schools
i'll the physiological effects of rum upon
mind and body, as well as other correlated
| subjects:
We believe that the work of our socie-
ties, resulting in laws BY which nearly one
half the children of the United States are
being taught in the public schools the evil
effects Of Intoxicating liquors upon the
tissues OF the body and the temper of the
mind, merits your earnest cooperation,
and will prove one of your strongest re- ell
fcrcements in the effort to elevate your
families to nobler levels OF opportunity
We believe that the study of hygiene, in
/, Guiding knowledge of the most healthful
foods and the discovery that these are OF
the cheaper and stimulating class,
with careful consideration of the scien-
tific methods by which, in the preparation
OF food. a little can be made to go /; long
way i'll home economies, are we'll worthy
your attention. We ask you to aid us il
our endeayors to have taught in oil the de-
partments OF our public schools those
benehcent laws Of health which relate to
wholesome living in respect to diet. dress,
sleep. exercise, and ventilation, so that this
\ teaching shall be given to every child as
4 one of the surest means to its trIest happi-
4 ness"
\ Next follows an appeal in behalf of the
4 White Cross League; for adequate protec-
ton of girls from base and designing men
until thsy are Of legal age; in aid of the
Sabbath movement and Saturday half -hol-
iday. The document then sets forth the va
rious departments of work in which the w.
G. L. U. is engaged, and the final appeal is
made as follows
1--WE ssk you to do all in your power for
the cause of prohibition, which is pre-
eminently your cause. With the dram
shop and its tiendish temptations over
thrown, what might you not attain of that
self mastery which is the first condition of
success; and what might you not achieve
of protection and happiness in those homes
which are the hearts true resting places!
Yonr ballots hold the balance OF power in
this land of the worlds hope. We ask
those of you who are voters TO cast them
only fer such measures and such men as
uIc bOsSMu1N SOuu1lllCu W lAC
of every brewery, distillery, and dram
shop in the nation. And that women may
come TO the rescue iu this great emer-
gency, also as an act of justice toward
those who have the most sacred claim on
your protection, We hope thatsNSu may see
your way clear 10 cast your ballots only
for such measures and such men as are
pledged to the acknowledgements women. y
To all of which we most heartily say.
Amen! We only wish that the case against
rum had been stated much more strongly
than it is in this circular, especially the
economic aspect of the question. The two
points quoted above are bat two counts in
the long Indictment. The first is the de-
plorable waste of wages spent for rum,
which is here estimated at the appalling
total of fourteen hundred million dollars
every year. The second, that the use Of
rum shortens life--an incontestable fact,
which should be kept before every man.
| But the general officers Of the w. C. T.
u, who prepared this appeal, could have
added either points equally strong as these.
They might have spoken of the i,reparable
evil wrought upon the children of an in
temperate father. A growing child needs
nIpntv of foo1 that ho1x,